A FAMILY-run printed circuit board manufacturer has doubled in size after buying a Cheshire rival.

Stockport-based Cheshire Circuits has snapped up Winsford business Cranford Circuits.

The enlarged group has been renamed Cheshire Cranford Electronics Europe, and boasts a combined workforce of 90 and turnover of about é5m.

David Maitland, 41, Cheshire Circuits' managing director, heads the new group. His father Joe is chairman.

David said: "The assets, skills and technology of the combined companies means we will be able to make a huge leap forward in terms of what we can offer the printed circuit boards market in both the UK and Europe.

"We will be able to compete at a higher level, with national and global manufacturers."

Printed circuit boards contain copper tracks which link electronic components and are used in electronic devices from doorbells to hi-fis and computers.